الحقوق

13.6.11

Indian Embassy helpless over fishermen detained in Qatar

DT: The Indian Embassy is apparently hapless in trying to establish contact with the Bahraini sponsors of fishermen detained in Qatar. According to latest figures, 32 Indian fishermen accused of straying into Qatari waters are presently detained by authorities there.

The fishermen working for Bahraini sponsors were arrested by the Qatar Coast Guard.

“We tried to call the sponsors of these men here and only three could be contacted so far,” Indian Embassy first secretary Nirmal Chawdhary told DT.

“They said that they are doing the needful and are on the process of getting the men released.

“However, the remaining were either unavailable on phone or the numbers were wrong.

“The three sponsors whom we could contact showed reluctance in taking up the issue.

“They gave an excuse of wanting money to go to Qatar as well as to pay the fine.“We are helpless here and we have suggested to the Indian Government to regularise all recruitments similar to that of the housemaids, where we keep a certain amount as a deposit.

“We can fall on this reserve in such situations,” Mr Chawdhary added.

He added that the Qatari Embassy is in touch with an Indian MP Helen Davidson about this issue. The sponsors are required to be present at the Qatari court to plead the case.

The fine to be paid is BD 700 per person. The Indian embassy also confirmed that neither the sponsors nor any associates of the missing men have reported anything until now, with over a week since the men being detained.

Indian Embassy officials in Qatar are also in touch with the Bahraini sponsors.